I went on a 3-mile walk today along the dirt road called Rabbit Ridge behind our home in Arroyo Hondo. It had snowed overnight, and I enjoyed breaking a path in the fresh snow with my steps. Sometimes when I take a walk, I like to be silent and listen to Mother Nature. Other times, I call up a friend to catch up. Today, a Tricycle podcast episode intrigued me. It was entitled “Into the Long Dark.” The episode featured Francis Weller, who is a writer, soul activist, and psychotherapist.
In his interview with meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg and James Shaheen, Tricycle’s editor in chief, Weller talks about listening. He also discusses restraint and not knowing. Weller explores how to face our current world’s anxieties and grief with presence, faith, and renewal rituals.
The conversation touched me deeply. As I listened and walked, I shed tears of grief and gratitude at times. I also paused to listen to the generous, loving wisdom of the natural landscape around me. Instead of summarizing the podcast further or letting you in on my deep contemplation, I will simply say, “Please, reserve an hour in your day. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee. Listen to this episode if you are grieving recent violent events in Minnesota (or elsewhere). You may still be in shock over the cruelty overwhelming our communication devices, social media, news feeds, and emotional/nervous system.
In my recently published Families Meditate Together column in The Taos News, I have edited and expanded it into a website blog and Substack. I explain the ritual of New Year’s resolutions. I view each day as an opportunity for renewal. I have included some thoughts and concepts from both the aforementioned Tricycle podcast as well as a recent online teaching I attended from Lion’s Roar magazine by Beth Wallace entitled “New Year’s Renewal,” in which she explains the benefits of meditation for self-compassion and care. She shares my view that every day is an opportunity for renewal, and it is helpful to stay “porous” when dealing with difficult emotions and events. I like the idea of being porous, which ties into one of my favorite meditation practices, Tonglen, in which we bring suffering into our heart and release compassion outward to ourselves and others. You can practice with me on the Insight Timer app, where I have numerous audio meditations, including this one for calming the nervous system. If you’re interested in trying Tonglen, here is a practice from my YouTube channel.
With a hand on my heart, I remember that a little human compassion goes a long way and can be very effective. Compassion helps alleviate personal suffering and may help others feel loved and appreciated.
Please share a smile, a hug, or a kiss on the cheek with someone today. 😀 And offer yourselves love 💛 and appreciation 🥰. We will get through these dark times; one breath, one moment, one day at a time. 🙏
Mindful Frontiers LLC 
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